Criminal Justice Major Investigates Career Opportunities with West Hartford Police

Inside a police car is not a place one typically wants to be. But criminal justice major Samantha Carr ’17, was there and it was exactly where she wanted to be. Samantha spent a week interning with police officers in West Hartford, Conn. to learn what it takes to do their job and if she wants to pursue that career after graduation.

Samantha got her internship through the University’s Express to Success program, which enables students to work with and learn from proven leaders in their area of study. “It has been really amazing and enlightening,” says Samantha.

During her internship, Samantha tried everything from collecting evidence to pulling people over on patrol with the traffic division. Not only did she get a feel for what it is like to work in criminal justice, but it also opened her eyes to opportunities in the police force. Next winter break, she is planning on attending the College Academy Program, which is a two-week introductory program to the police academy.

“Internships are great opportunities for young people to see what the job is about and to direct them toward their future,” says Michael Perruccio, lieutenant and commander of the training division at West Hartford Police Department.

(Police Chief of West Hartford Police Department, Tracey Gove, is an alum of the University and graduated in 2001 with a masters in public administration from the University’s Barney School of Business).